Who is Driftless?

Nicholas Langholff – Founder
Is a film producer based in Madison, WI.  Nicholas has been making movies for the last ten years and now numbers more than 40 films to his credit, 17 as First Assistant Director and 11 as Producer, including El Cartel and the award-winning Madison. His credits also include dozens of national commercials and promotional spots for clients such as Sundance Channel, Nickelodeon, Bravo, Oxygen, and IFC. He has filmed on location in Sudan, Brazil, and Mexico, and spends much of his time working between NY and LA. Langholff now focuses exclusively on developing and producing independent feature films, with a unique expertise in shooting on location in Wisconsin.

Darren Burrows – Founder
Darren is best known for his portrayal of budding director Ed Chigliak on the hit series Northern Exposure from 1990-1995.  He has also appeared in numerous feature films by directors as diverse as John Waters to Steven Spielberg, and has made several guest appearances on shows such as X-Files and CSI.  Darren’s ties to Wisconsin began with the Milwaukee-made Lady in the Box.   He has since worked on several projects with Nick Langholff and Madison-based Natural Films.  Darren is currently developing Of Angels & Outlaws, a Western to be filmed in new Mexico later this year.

Jeremy Patnaude – Founder
Jeremy Patnaude is the General Manager of State Theatres, a movie cinema chain in Southwestern Wisconsin.  He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Platteville Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Chair of the Marketing and Business committee.

Phil Mrozinski – Executive & Artistic Director
Phil Mrozinski is a photographer and owner of M Studio in Mineral Point, WI.  Phil is also the President and Manger of the Mineral Point Opera House Inc., and was instrumental in the campaign to restore the Opera House.

Brendan Thain Jones – Assistant Director
Brendan Jones was born and raised in Northeastern Wisconsin. He started making movies with his childhood friends when he was just 8 years old. Jones studied abroad in Mexico before returning to Wisconsin to study TV, Radio & Film.  He is a graduate of UW-Milwaukee and has been working in the Motion Picture Industry for the past five years.  Nick Langholff met Jones on the set of Wisconsin feature, “Feed The Fish.” The two have worked together on commercials and various film projects ever since.  Jones has a love for indie filmmaking and all things local.

Julia Schaffer – Festival Coordinator
A native of Minnesota, Julia Schaffer spends her time working in film production on projects as varied as shorts, commercials, music videos and independent feature films.  She works mostly in the Upper Midwest, but travels as much as possible for work or fun.  Julia has traveled extensively in southwest Wisconsin and enjoys the scenery, specialty shops, and uniqueness of each community.

Cheryl Greer – Website & Marketing Director
Cheryl Greer is a freelance designer and film buff.  A former curator of the Curtis Theatre Collection in Pittsburgh, Cheryl’s lifelong interest in film & theater history and background in the preservation and conservation of historic artifacts carries through to DFF’s mission of raising awareness of the historic theater buildings of the Driftless region.

Festival Advisory Committee

Volunteer committee that consists of point people from each community, as well as others throughout the region who are dedicated to helping us grow.

Liz Nevers, Baraboo
Mary Ann McKenna, Spring Green
Brian Pittman, Richland Center
Sarah Bartash, Spring Green
Tony Macasaet, Viroqua
Valorie Schaefer, Viroqua

Chamber of Commerce Leaders
Joy Gieseke, Mineral Point COC
Emily Rozeske , Viroqua COC
Kathy Kopp , Platteville COC
Meegan Thompson, Richland Center COC
Debra L. Bauer, Baraboo COC
Dawn Eno, Spring Green COC